OS MIGRATION Te ch 6 Benefits of Upgrading to Modern Operating Systems The end of Windows XP support is just one reason to make the move to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. If lingering Windows XP systems remain a part of your purview, here are the compelling benefits of moving to modern operating systems — and a quick list of actions you can take to ease the way. Having enjoyed more than a decade of popularity, Windows XP has 3. Enhanced security. Modern versions of Windows include a had a great run. Yet, despite Microsoft’s recent agreement to provide number of security enhancements. For example, Windows 7 features updates to the anti-malware in Windows XP through July 14, 2015, kernel patch protection, service hardening, data execution preven- any PC still running the aging operating system is at risk for expensive tion, mandatory integrity levels, Windows Defender, Action Center, data-loss incidents. The Dell SecureWorks Counter Threat Unit (CTU) BitLocker Drive Encryption and more. Windows 8.1 also features appli- has catalogued more than 760 vulnerabilities in Windows XP, and CTU cation architecture improvements, picture passwords, Windows To Go, predicts “continued discovery and disclosure of new software vulner- and improvements to DirectAccess and AppLocker. Organizations can abilities linked to Windows XP well beyond the end-of-support date.”i further enhance security by selecting a hardware vendor that includes To maintain user productivity and security, most organizations have advanced data protection tools such as encryption, authentication and begun transitioning to modern versions of Windows. As of December malware protection on its enterprise PCs. 2013, more than 47 percent of all PCs were running Windows 7, more 4. Better manageability. Modern Windows can make it easier than 10 percent were running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, and nearly for IT staff to do their jobs. For example, the scripting capabilities of 29 percent were still running Windows XP.ii Windows 7 let IT automate many common, time-consuming tasks. The OS also includes Windows Troubleshooting Packs, System Restore Six Benefits of a Modern OS improvements, a Problem Steps Recorder and improved monitoring. Not only do these Windows XP systems pose security risks, they also 5. Improved stability. Users experience an average of 40 percent prevent the organization from accessing the benefits of a modern less downtime with a modern operating system, making workers more operating system. Here are six of the most noteworthy. productive and reducing help desk costs.iv 1. Support for modern technology. When Windows XP debuted 6. Lower costs. Organizations retaining Windows XP beyond the in 2001, smartphones, tablets, virtualization, cloud computing, social end-of-support date must pay for custom support, which can cost as networking and Web 2.0 were all off in the future. Windows 7 and Windows 8, by contrast, take advantage of the intervening decade of technological innovation, supporting mobility, touch screens, 64-bit Dell OS Migration Services architecture, virtualization and a host of other advances. The hardware that companies buy today comes with processors and architecture that As the Microsoft U.S. Windows Deployment Partner of the Year cannot run Windows XP. These modern PCs are often thinner, lighter in 2012 and 2013, Dell has handled migrations for organiza- and more reliable than their predecessors and may come with solid tions in more than 100 companies, deploying more than a state drives that increase speed and decrease power consumption. million Windows devices every year. More than 95 percent of Deploying these new PCs requires deploying a new OS. Dell Windows Migration Services customers say they would be 2. Improved productivity. With modern Windows, workers spend likely to repurchase consulting services from Dell. less time waiting. For example, Windows 7 boots 29 percent faster Dell offers end-to-end services for planning, automating and than Windows XP, opens files 54 percent faster and resumes from implementing an operating system migration strategy, as well standby mode up to 73 percent faster. Laptops running Windows 7 as providing the necessary education services for workforces. have 85 percent better battery life than those running Windows XP, No matter the stage of the operating system transition, Dell which means mobile workers can keep working much longer while on can help make migration go more smoothly, saving companies the go. Windows 8 can boot and shut down twice as fast as Windows as much as 55 percent on their related costs. 7, and resume from standby mode 33 percent faster.iii 1 1401104 FEBRUARY 2014 OS MIGRATION much as $200 per PC per year.v The older hardware necessary to run take advantage of all the potential benefits. Combining a hardware Windows XP requires more maintenance, driving support costs even refresh with an OS migration allows for planning and deployment of higher. Companies can reduce costs by leveraging the newer operat- new hardware — including touch-screen devices to enable flexible ing systems’ built-in security and virtualization instead of paying for mobile computing. Also, application readiness presents its own chal- third-party software. Of course, deploying a new OS also incurs costs, lenges. Leveraging automation solutions such as Dell’s ChangeBASE but an experienced consulting partner hired to assist with the transi- can speed the process, and Dell’s application packaging factories test, tion can cut those expenses by as much as 55 percent by increasing remediate and package hundreds of applications every week. the maturity level of their deployment processes, according to IDC.vi Evaluate automation solutions. The right tools can automate the PC build process, including the base image, OS settings, applications, Ensure a Smooth Migration user data migration, domain join and encryption. Dell consultants Consider using an OS migration service provider. Using a migra- use technologies such as Dell Automated Deployment and KACE to tion consultant reduces costs and can ease the OS-upgrade process. simplify migration. In many cases, migration can be so automated Most enterprise IT departments have limited experience conducting that users can self-serve. OS migrations. Third-party consultants do many migrations and pass Prepare a deployment plan. Preparedness for an OS migration on to their clients the benefits of the lessons learned. entails devising a detailed plan and schedule for deployment man- Select which new operating system is right for the systems agement, logistics and staging, image management, application being upgraded. Many businesses are choosing to upgrade to management, data management, user-state migration and post- Windows 7 first because it presents less of a learning curve for users. deployment support. Dell Managed Deployment leverages a unique Others, particularly those deploying touch-screen devices, find that cloud-based migration management tool called Client Deployment it makes sense to upgrade to the new Windows. A hybrid approach Manager to keep migrations on track. with a mix of both modern operating systems works for situations Train the help desk staff and end users. Organizations should with varied client systems, end-user needs and IT support demands. address training proactively, with a plan and schedule for pre- and post- Assess hardware and application readiness. Older systems run- migration training. Dell Education Services offers a range of classroom, ning Windows XP may not be robust enough to run a newer OS or to online and point-of-need solutions for training IT staff and users. Concurrent Steps for Ensuring a Smooth OS Migration Assess Hardware and Application Readiness Train Help Desk Staff and End Users • Refresh aging hardware. • Create pre- and post-migration training plans. • Investigate application testing and remediation • Consider hiring a training partner. solutions such as Dell ChangeBASE. Select an OS Evaluate Automation Solutions Prepare Deployment Plan • Evaluate the strengths of Windows 7 • Compare products and vendors. • Make final technology decisions. and Windows 8. • Decide whether to hire a consultant • Draft a detailed schedule. • Consider a hybrid approach. partner. 2 FEBRUARY 2014 OS MIGRATION Seize the Opportunity Feature Comparison Forward-thinking enterprises are using the OS migration opportunity ■ WINDOWS XP ■ WINDOWS 7 ■ WINDOWS 8.1 to make improvements that will affect the organization for years to come. Many are going beyond simply adopting an OS designed for Enables multitasking more easily ■ ■ ■ mobility to embrace mobile devices that make the workplace more Browse the Web easily and more safely ■ ■ ■ flexible and productive. Some enterprises are improving efficiency and employee satisfac- Finds files and programs instantly ■ ■ ■ tion with bring-your-own-device, choose-your-own-device and/or Opens programs and files you use most in a click or two ■ ■ ■ corporate-owned-personally-enabled (COPE) programs. Many use the application-assessment process as a springboard for better application Supports mouse and keyboard ■ ■ ■ tracking, helping control costs and reduce wasteful spending. Runs Windows XP business programs ■ ■ ■ An OS migration is an ideal time to make changes that affect the bottom line. The brunt of planning and deployment need not burden Fully compatible with 64-bit architecture ■ ■ an already taxed IT workforce. Expert OS and hardware migration Features built-in defense against spyware and malware ■ ■ consultants